In 1960 the Telephone Pioneers of America were designated the official equipment repair group for the Library of Congress. Since then, Pioneers have repaired some two million of the special cassette and record players used by the visually impaired. We appreciate and depend on our Pioneers, especially Mr. Richard “Dick” Hawkinson. For twenty years, Dick came to the Library to repair the equipment he viewed as so valuable to those who needed it to read their "talking" books.
Dick Hawkinson died Monday, August 29, 2007. He was born in Evanston, IL. and was a Veteran of the U. S. Air Force. He will be missed by many, including his family and friends, fellow Telephone Pioneers, and South Carolina State Library Staff... but we will always remember how he saluted each of us with a big smile and a handshake or a hug, and he almost always had a joke or funny story to share. We will always remember our friend Richard “Dick” Hawkinson.
